Almost 7 million pupils have been affected by the striking four teacher unions, Builsa South Member of Parliament, Dr. Clement Apaak has revealed.
On Monday, July 4, the leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT), and the Teachers & Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) asked their members to withdraw their services.
Their decision was announced by the General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah Tanko.
The unions had earlier given the government a June 30 ultimatum, to grant the 20% COLA or risk the wrath of over 240,000 teachers nationwide.
The striking teachers lamented that the high inflation and incessant skyrocketing prices of fuel, goods, and services, “have eroded the already woefully so-called salary increases granted” to them.
Expressing concern about the situation, the MP said close to seven million school children – from Kindergarten to Senior High school – have been affected by the industrial action.
He blamed the government for failing to be proactive.
“As we speak, close to 7 million students from Kindergarten through primary school to Junior High School to Secondary Schools are currently not benefiting from teaching and learning.
“Clearly, this is as a result of the government ‘s inability to meet its obligations that they will be proactive in addressing the needs and demands of the labor unions including teachers.” he lamented on 3FM.
Meanwhile, a scheduled meeting between the government and the leadership of the four unions ended inconclusively yesterday as teachers blame the government for attending the meeting with empty hands.
“Government came empty-handed and so we ended the meeting” an executive member of GNAT, Isaac Baah, disclosed.
However, the Ghana Education Service in a statement has assured parents to remain calm as they monitor the situation and advise accordingly.